Susan
Wear, Director of Corporate Affairs for Port of Tyne, said: “The Port of Tyne
is proud to sponsor the South Tyneside Festival again this year. The Festival
helps South Tyneside raise its profile in the region and nationally and brings
thousands of visitors to the area, providing a welcome boost to the local
economy.

“With
an exciting line-up this year we are sure it is going to be another success and
will be enjoyed by local people as well as visitors from further afield.”

The
open air Sunday Concert series, which is also being sponsored by Colmans and
Dicksons, forms part of a wider programme of free entertainment and activities
making up the South Tyneside Festival 2015.

Other
highlights in the three-month event, which runs until the end of August,
include an Alice in Wonderland themed parade through South Shields on July 4,
weekly performances at the open air amphitheatre and Kids Fun Fest parties during
July and August and crafts markets on the first Sunday of every month.

Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader
of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “The
South Tyneside Festival and its Sunday Concert series in particular, attract
thousands of tourists and make a great contribution to the North East economy.

“It is through the support of Port
of Tyne and other businesses that we are able to run such high profile events
and offer visitors the chance to see artists of such high calibre perform for
free.”

For more information and full
listings for the South Tyneside Festival 2015 go to www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk search for South Tyneside Events on
Facebook, follow STynesideEvents on Twitter or call the South Tyneside Visitor
Information Centre on 0191 424 7788.